Sand

UN warns of looming sand crisis as global consumption triples

Global consumption for use in glass, concrete and construction materials has increased three-fold over the last two decades, harming rivers and coastlines and even wiping out small islands, a UN report says.

Sand mining 'mafias' destroying environment, livelihoods - UN

Extraction in rivers and beaches has increased pollution and flooding, lowered groundwater levels, hurt marine life, and exacerbated the occurrence and severity of landslides and drought, UN says.